Clauses
English and German both use clauses to build meaning, but German clauses follow specific word order rules that hinge on the type of clause and the position of the verb(s).
Main Clauses
A main clause in German places the finite verb in the second position, and you can move other elements to slot for emphasis or rhythm. The rest of the sentence follows normally with any additional verbs at the end if needed.
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Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses in German send the finite verb to the end and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like weil, dass, or wenn. These clauses cannot change the main clause's word order since they function as a single unit.
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Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions such as und, aber, oder, denn connect clauses without changing the verb position; the finite verb stays in its normal place in each clause. Use them to link ideas of equal weight.
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Relative Clauses
Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun like der, die, das and place the finite verb at the end. They provide extra information about a noun and behave like subordinate clauses in word order.
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Conditional Clauses
Conditional clauses typically start with wenn for real or repeated conditions and follow subordinate clause word order with the verb at the end. The result clause is usually a main clause with the verb in second position.
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Example Sentences
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Ich frühstücke auf der Terrasse, bevor ich ins Büro gehe. | I have breakfast on the terrace before I go to the office. |
| 🌧️ Obwohl es regnet, fahre ich mit dem Fahrrad zum Café. | Although it is raining, I ride my bike to the café. |
| 🧺 Ich kaufe im Markt ein und anschließend gehe ich im Park spazieren. | I shop at the market and afterward I go for a walk in the park. |
| 🐶 Der Hund, der im Park spielt, gehört meiner Nachbarin. | The dog that is playing in the park belongs to my neighbor. |
| 🌇 Wenn ich später Feierabend habe, treffe ich Freunde am See. | If I finish work late, I meet friends at the lake. |
Summary
German clauses revolve around verb position: main clauses keep the finite verb second, subordinate clauses push it to the end, and conjunctions determine which pattern to follow. Mastering these patterns lets you build complex sentences clearly.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025